With only 5 ingredients, this Bacon Wrapped Asparagus with Balsamic Glaze is a simple appetizer, elegant enough for special occasions like Easter dinner and easy enough for weeknights.
The Best Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
I’mma asparagus-fiend, sorrynotsorry. I love it so much! In fact, there are few things I love more than cooking with fresh asparagus in the spring and summer. Grilled asparagus, asparagus soup, salmon and asparagus…I love it all.
But I have to say that this bacon wrapped asparagus recipe is one of my all-time favorites. Prepared in the oven, it’s similar to my oven roasted asparagus with one important addition – bacon.
Which, in my family’s opinion, is the most important part…I put a plate of this on the table and all bets are off as everyone fights over it. The same goes with my Bacon Wrapped Green Beans. Of course, all of this has more to do with the bacon the vegetable is wrapped in and not the vegetable itself…but if it gets everyone eating more veggies then who am I to complain?
Why You’ll Love This Roasted Asparagus
I mean, it’s pretty obvious but…
- BACON. We all know that bacon makes everything better, so it’s no surprise that this bacon wrapped asparagus is downright addicting.
- Only 5 ingredients. Besides the bacon, you’ll just need ingredients like asparagus, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar for this appetizer.
- Elegant but easy. This is one of those super versatile recipes that’s as perfect on a holiday table as it is on a weeknight dinner plate.
What You’ll Need
This bacon wrapped asparagus recipe is made with simple ingredients, which means you can whip it up anytime.
- Asparagus – See tips below for choosing asparagus.
- Cooking spray – I prefer olive oil cooking spray.
- Salt & ground black pepper
- Bacon – Cut each slice in half length-wise so it’s easier to wrap around the asparagus.
- Light brown sugar – Sweetens the glaze and creates the thick, sticky texture.
- Balsamic vinegar – The base of the balsamic glaze.
Tips for Choosing Asparagus
Here are some things to look for when buying asparagus at the store:
- Firm texture. The asparagus stalks should be firm to the touch, not soft or mushy, with no bruises.
- Bright color. Look for asparagus that has a vivid green color and no obvious blemishes. Faded asparagus is past its peak.
- Closed tips. The tips of the asparagus should be tightly closed, not spread open.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Asparagus in the Oven
This asparagus side dish is pretty straightforward to make. You’ll need just 10 minutes to prepare it.
- Prep the asparagus. Snap the woody ends off the asparagus, then wash and pat dry. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt.
- Wrap with bacon. Wrap each asparagus spear with bacon, wrapping it in a spiral. Transfer to a cooling rack over a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Add the balsamic glaze. Combine the brown sugar and balsamic vinegar in a bowl. Brush over the asparagus.
- Roast in the oven. Top the asparagus with fresh ground pepper. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender.
Can I Make This On The Grill?
Yes, you can also make this bacon wrapped asparagus on the grill. Just prepare as directed above, place directed on a hot grill, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender.
Tips for Success
Here are a few helpful tips for making the best bacon wrapped asparagus in the oven.
- Use fresh asparagus. Unlike other vegetables, asparagus doesn’t hold up well in the fridge. So be sure to buy it just a day or two before preparing this side.
- Avoid thick cut bacon. Regular bacon is the way to go here. Thick cut bacon will take longer to crisp up and make result in over-cooked asparagus.
- Bake on a cooling rack over a baking sheet. This is key to achieving crispy bacon, as it allows the bacon fat to drip down onto the baking sheet without the asparagus/bacon sitting in it.
- Go light on the salt. While I do like to add a bit of salt for flavor, you won’t need too much of it – or of the olive oil, thanks to the bacon.
Serving Suggestions
Our absolute favorite thing to serve with this bacon wrapped asparagus is Jack Daniel’s grilled steak. Tender, juicy steak paired with crispy bacon and tender asparagus, plus the sweet-tangy balsamic glaze…it’s a match made in heaven! Add a baked potato and you have a meal that will rival any steakhouse.
Our dishes that pair well with asparagus include grilled chicken thighs, pork chops, and salmon.
We also love to serve this on holidays, especially Easter. It always impresses the guests but requires such little time to prepare!
Proper Storage
Asparagus is best enjoyed immediately but if you have leftovers, here’s how to store and reheat them.
- Fridge. Keep any leftover asparagus in an airtight container or wrapped in foil in the fridge. It will last for about 3 days.
- Reheat. While you can reheat these in the microwave, I recommend popping them back in the oven or even the air fryer so the bacon maintains some crispness.
More Asparagus Recipes
- Easy Asparagus Cheese Tart
- Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Dressing
- Bacon, Eggs, and Asparagus Salad
- Cheesy Grilled Asparagus
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus with Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus ends trimmed
- olive oil cooking spray
- kosher salt to taste
- 8 slices bacon cut in half
- Fresh ground black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and top with a cooling rack.
- Spray prepared asparagus with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt.
- Wrap a slice of bacon around each asparagus spear in a spiral.
- Transfer to prepared baking sheet, and set on top of the cooling rack. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar and balsamic; mix until combined.
- Brush each bacon wrapped asparagus with prepared glaze and season with pepper.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until bacon is crispy and asparagus is tender.
- Remove from oven and serve.
Notes
- You can also grill bacon-wrapped asparagus! To grill, place the bacon wrapped asparagus on hot grill and cover. Cook 10 to 12 minutes, or until bacon is crisp and asparagus is tender.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
